WUTHERING HEIGHTS – Emily Bronte

SUMMARY

I have decided to divide the text into three sections. The first section, prologue,
focuses on Lockwood’s arrival at Thrushcross Grange and his visits to his landlord,
Heathcliff. The second section provides the history of Wuthering Heights and it is
narrated by Nelly. The last section is titled the epilogue. It serves as the conclusion of
the story. It focuses on Heathcliff’s death and the relationship between Cathy and
Hareton.

PROLOGUE

1801—Lockwood, the new tenant at Thrushcross Grange, pays a visit to his landlord,
Mr. Heathcliff at Wuthering Heights. Lockwood finds himself strangely attracted to a
man who seems even more reclusive than he. Curiosity leads Lockwood to make a
second visit the next day. This time he is snowed in and has plenty of time to
discover the relationships among the occupants of the house: a young refined
woman; a young man, obviously used to hard labor; and Heathcliff. Lockwood begins
to have doubts about Heathcliff’s character when he sees him react savagely to the
young woman.

Chapter 3: Lockwood is put up for the night in one of the unused bedrooms which
was the girlhood room of Catherine Earnshaw. There he discovers the books and
writings of Catherine from the time when her brother Hindley was the master of the
house. Lockwood falls into a fitful sleep with dreams that turn into nightmares. His
cries arouse Heathcliff who thinks it is the ghost of Catherine calling out to him. After
this sleepless night, Lockwood vows never to bother his neighbors again.

HISTORY OF THE FAMILY

That evening, reviving a bit, Lockwood engages his housekeeper, Mrs. Dean, who
had served the Earnshaws for many years, in a conversation about the inhabitants at
Wuthering Heights. Mrs. Dean begins the history of the family at the time that the
old master Mr. Earnshaw brings a foundling, later named Heathcliff, home to be
raised as his own child. Catherine and Heathcliff become close friends, but Hindley’s
resentment at his father’s protective attitude toward Heathcliff soon turns into
hatred.
 Hindley is sent off to college, and the strong bond between Catherine and Heathcliff
grows as they are left to themselves to roam about the countryside. The child
Catherine is full of energy and high spirits, which often puts her at odds with her
father. This tranquil time is changed by the death of Mr. Earnshaw. Hindley returns
for the funeral with a new wife and takes his place as master. He banishes Heathcliff
from the family, requiring him to give up his education to work as a servant. Still
Catherine and Heathcliff manage to sneak away for rambles on the moor. On one of
these excursions, they spy on the Linton family at Thrushcross Grange. When the
watchdog bites Catherine’s leg, she is attended by the Lintons while Heathcliff is sent
home in disgrace. Five weeks pass before Catherine returns home. She is a changed
person, in appearance and manners. She now acts the part of the “lady.” Heathcliff,
meanwhile, has grown more ragged and dirty. Catherine still feels close to Heathcliff
and doesn’t understand why he resents the changes in her. But Heathcliff envies
Edgar Linton, his appearance and prospects with Catherine, and resolves to revenge
himself on Hindley, no matter how long it will take. At this point, Mrs. Dean
interrupts her story, wanting to move on more quickly. Lockwood insists that she
continue in the same style, not leaving out any details. Mrs. Dean continues the
story of the Earnshaw family. It is now the following summer, and a baby boy is born
to Hindley and his wife. Mistress Earnshaw, who is sickly and consumptive, dies
within the year, and the child, Hareton, is raised by Nelly Dean. Hindley gives in to
desperate and dissipated mourning for his wife.

Catherine, at fifteen, tries to balance her relationship with both the Linton children
and Heathcliff. This causes difficulties for her since neither side likes the other. She is
still Heathcliff’s constant companion, but he has turned into a boorish, uncultivated
person. Piqued by the situation, Catherine quarrels with Edgar, but it leads,
paradoxically, to closer intimacy between them.

Catherine, seeking advice, confides to Nelly that Edgar has asked her to marry him,
and she has accepted, even though she is convinced that it is Heathcliff she really
loves. However, she cannot marry Heathcliff, given his social situation, and she
thinks marriage to Edgar will secure Heathcliff’s future. Unknown to Catherine,
Heathcliff has overheard most of this conversation, except for Catherine’s
declaration of love for him. Heathcliff steals out of the roomand leaves the
countryside. Catherine is devastated by his loss and becomes seriously ill. Three
years pass without any word from Heathcliff, and Catherine marries Edgar. This ends
the first part of Mrs. Dean’s story.

Lockwood becomes sick from his walk in the snow. It is four weeks before he is well
enough to ask Mrs. Dean to continue the story. Edgar and Catherine enjoy a
“honeymoon” period, but it ends with the return of Heathcliff. He is transformed
into a tall, muscular, athletic, and mannered man. Catherine is overjoyed to have
him back and insists that Edgar, who is of course jealous of her feelings for
Heathcliff, accept him into the family. Edgar’s sister, Isabella, becomes infatuated
with Heathcliff and accuses her sister-in-law of monopolizing him. Catherine mocks
Isabella’s feelings by embarrassing her in front of Heathcliff. She doesn’t change
Isabella’s mind, but instead plants an idea in Heathcliff’s mind that such a marriage
would enable him to inherit all the Linton lands. Meanwhile, Heathcliff is staying at
Wuthering Heights with Hindley Earnshaw, who, regardless of the danger, has
included Heathcliff in his nightly card games, hoping to win some money from him.
On Heathcliff’s next visit to the Linton’s, he meets Isabella in the garden and kisses
her. Catherine is very put out and quarrels with Heathcliff. There is a violent scene
between Edgar and Heathcliff when Edgar orders him never to come to the house
again. Catherine becomes so upset that she locks herself in her room.

By the time Catherine lets Nelly into her room, she is sick from fever and delirium.
Concerned with Catherine’s health, the family doesn’t realize, until it is too late, that
Isabella has eloped with Heathcliff. Nelly had discovered her absence earlier but told
no one, wanting to spare the family more confusion and pain.

Catherine suffers through a long illness but slowly begins to recuperate. Meanwhile
Isabella and Heathcliff return to Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff’s cruel and evil nature
is now apparent to Isabella. Nelly goes to Wuthering Heights to see Isabella, even
though her brother considers her “lost” to him and insists on no communication
between the two families. However, Heathcliff desires to see Catherine again and
forces Nelly to play his go-between. He says Edgar can never love Catherine as fully
as he does and implies that he would kill Edgar if he thought Catherine wouldn’t miss
him. Nelly finally gives into his threats and agrees to carry a letter to Catherine.
There is another pause in the narrative. When the story picks up again, Lockwood is
the narrator, telling the story in Mrs. Dean’s “own words.”

Catherine is physically and mentally altered by her illness; she is listless and
withdrawn, clearly marked for an early death. Heathcliff realizes this as soon as he
sees her. She accuses him of having broken her heart and torments him with her
prediction that he will live to forget her. She wishes that they would never be parted,
and refuses to release her hold on him even when her husband enters. She falls into
a faint from which she never awakens. That night a premature infant, young
Catherine, is born and Catherine Linton dies. Heathcliff, who has kept a vigil in the
garden, knows she is dead before Nelly comes to tell him. He begs Catherine to
haunt him, not to leave him alone in this world.

The next afternoon, Isabella, who is running away from Heathcliff, stops at the house
describes the violent fight between Hindley Earnshaw and Heathcliff. She is bleeding
from a knife wound to the head, brought on by her own taunts to Heathcliff that he
murdered Catherine. Her son, named Linton, is born a few months later, south of
London. Six months later, Hindley Earnshaw, just 27, dies. It is discovered that
Heathcliff owns all the Earnshaw land. Earnshaw’s son, Hareton, is penniless,
completely depended on Heathcliff for everything.

Twelve years pass. Young Catherine, called Miss Cathy, has grown up, never going far
from home. Isabella, near death, calls Edgar to her side so she can entrust her son
Linton to him. Cathy, tired of waiting for her father, decides to do some exploring on
her own and ends up at Wuthering Heights. There she meets Hareton who is now
eighteen and learns that he is a cousin. She is upset to discover this unlikely
connection, but agrees to keep her visit a secret.

Edgar returns home with his nephew, a “pale, delicate, effeminate boy.” Linton is
sickly and frail and quite moody, but Cathy is hopeful of making him a pet, soothing
his nerves by taking care of him. However, Heathcliff demands that his son be sent to
him immediately. The next morning Nelly takes Linton to Wuthering Heights.
Heathcliff’s plan to own all the Linton land through his son’s inheritance now
becomes apparent. He values the boy for this alone and will not harm him, even
though he considers him a puny, weak thing. Time passes pleasantly until Cathy’s
sixteenth birthday. In a ramble over the moors, she meets Heathcliff, who invites her
to his home to meet his son. He confides to Nelly that he wants the two cousins to
fall in love, so as to avoid any legal questions when Linton inherits the property of his
uncle.

Cathy, refusing to believe her father’s description of Heathcliff’s character, sets up a

secret correspondence with Linton. When Nelly discovers the notes, she forces Cathy
to stop writing at the risk of her father’s displeasure. At the end of the summer, Mr.
Linton gets cold that he cannot shake off, and the family begins to fear for his health.
Heathcliff, passing on the road one day, meets Cathy who has been on a walk. He
accuses her of playing with young Linton’s feelings, saying the boy is so depressed
that he has made himself sick enough to die. Cathy insists that she must see for
herself, and Nelly gives in, hoping that Linton’s behavior will prove the falseness of
Heathcliff’s words. They find young Linton more frail and sickly than before. He also
complains at Cathy’s treatment of him, repeating his father’s accusations against Mr.
Linton. He demands that Cathy continue to visit him to cure him. Nelly protests that
the visits must not be repeated.

Nelly becomes sick and is laid up for three weeks. During this time, Cathy continues
her secret visits to Linton in the evenings. When Nelly discovers her secret, Cathy
describes her visits and her attempts to amuse Linton, usually without good results.
Every time Cathy wants to end the visits, the boy blames his ill nature on his
sickness.

Mr. Linton insists that the visits be stopped. The narrated events of the novel have
now reached just one year before 1801, the year Lockwood first came to Wuthering
Heights. Edgar Linton, who feels he is dying, fears that young Linton Heathcliff is only
a tool of Heathcliff’s revenge and forbids any more visits between the cousins.
However, he allows them to write each other. Edgar realizes that Cathy will be left
without an inheritance unless she marries Linton Heathcliff.

Young Linton is also quite ill, failing rapidly. He hardly has the energy to visit with
Cathy, but his fear of his father makes him beg her to come again the next week. On
the next visit, Linton is even more abject terror, saying he cannot enter the house
without Cathy. Heathcliff has devised a plan to kidnap Cathy and not release her
until she marries Linton, even though he knows that her father is near death. In the
morning, Cathy is taken to be married while Nelly is kept locked up.

After five days, Nelly is released and returns to the Grange to find Mr. Edgar near
death. Cathy manages to break out of Wuthering Heights just in time to comfort her
father in his last hours. The evening after the funeral, Heathcliff arrives at the Grange
to demand Cathy’s return to Linton’s side. He tells Nelly that he has had Catherine’s
grave opened and has made plans to be buried next to her when he dies so that their
dust can mingle. Heathcliff is still haunted by Catherine. He feels her spirit, but he is
in torment because she refuses to show herself.

Young Linton dies, and Cathy is forced to continue living at Wuthering Heights.
Heathcliff now owns all the Earnshaw and Linton property. This chapter concludes
Mrs. Dean’s story. Lockwood, felling much better after his long illness, rides over to
Wuthering Heights to tell Heathcliff that he doesn’t intend to stay on at the Grange
at the end of his year. Not much has changed among the members of the household.
Cathy is still obstinate and continues to badger Hareton. But there are slight changes
in Heathcliff; he is more restless, anxious, and troubled than Lockwood has seen him
before.

EPILOGUE

Eight months pass. In September, Lockwood is in the vicinity of the Grange and
decides to visit Wuthering Heights to pay off his account. He learns that Heathcliff
has been dead for three months. Nelly describes how Cathy and Hareton were
reconciled and became fast friends, while at the same time Heathcliff became more
and more estranged from the family. Nelly continues the tale. Heathcliff hardly
notices what is happening around him. When Cathy stands up to him, he is caught by
the look in her eyes that reminds him of Catherine. Hareton also closely resembles
Catherine.

Heathcliff realizes that everywhere he looks he sees reminders of Catherine. He is

tormented and haunted by his desire to be reunited with Catherine. These are the
last days of Heathcliff. He stops eating and sleeping; he restlessly roams through the
countryside and home, seeing Catherine wherever he looks. Finally, Nelly discovers
him in Catherine’s bed, dead. He is buried as he wished, next to the grave of
Catherine. Now the country folk swear that his restless spirit still walks.

Young Catherine and Hareton will be married on New Year and move to the Grange
to begin their life together, leaving behind the ghosts of Catherine and Heathcliff.

CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE LINTON AND EARNSHAW FAMILIES

1772: Old Mr. Earnshaw finds a starving, orphaned child in the streets of Liverpool
while on a business trip and brings him home to be raised with his children—Hindley,
fourteen, and Catherine, six; the child is christened Heathcliff.

June, 1778: Hareton Earnshaw, Hindley’s child, is born.

1780: Heathcliff leaves Wuthering heights.

1783: Edgar Linton marries Catherine Earnshaw.

1784: Catherine Linton dies and her baby Catherine is born. Isabella runs away from
Wuthering heights after the funeral of Catherine; Linton, son of Isabella and
Heathcliff, is born in the south, near London. Hindley Earnshaw dies.

1801: Catherine Linton and Linton Heathcliff are married. Edgar Linton dies. Linton
Heathcliff dies within weeks of his uncle’s death.

April, 1802: Heathcliff dies.

Discuss narrative technique deployed in Wuthering Heights

The narrative technique in Wuthering Heights is complex. An average reader may

not fully comprehend the complexity of the narrative structure and may not find the
plot appealing. A reader’s understanding of the plot is entirely dependent on their
understanding of the narrative technique deployed in the novel.

The novel is written in the first person narrative method. The narrator, Mr.
Lockwood, is also a character in the novel. There is an extensive use of the first
person personal pronoun, “I”. the story opens as: “I have just returned from a visit to
my landlord – the solitary neighbor I shall be troubled with’’. Nelly’s account is also
presented in the first person’s voice. She has spent a considerable period with both
the Earnshaws and the Lintons. Her explanation of the history of the two families is
what forms the core of the story. A major point worth penning down is the fact that
both Lockwood and Nelly are unreliable narrators; they are not omniscient. In fact,
Lockwood is as ignorant as the readers are. He is entirely dependent on Nelly to
explain and clarify things to him. Nelly knows a significant aspect of the story but
certainly does not know everything. She did not witness some crucial incidents. For
instance, she was not with Heathcliff and Catherine at the time the two made their
first visit to Thrushcross to spy on the Lintons. Thus, her knowledge about what
happened there is only limited and dependent on what Heathcliff explains to her.

A major narrative technique used in the novel is the Chinese Box or frame narrative.
The Chinese box or frame narrative uses different perspectives to explain the plot. In
Wuthering Heights, different narrators play the role of narrators. Mr. Lockwood
serves as the frame of the narrative and serves as the overall narrator. All other
narratives flow through him. It is worth noting that the readers are reading
Wuthering Heights directly from Lockwood’s diary. Nelly’s narrative forms the core
of the novel. Nelly, however, does not explain the history of the Heights directly to
the readers. She explains it to Lockwood who in turn writes it down in his diary from
which the readers get the story. Lockwood’s diary is the novel, Wuthering Heights.
Within Nelly’s narrative there are different perspectives. Like I established earlier,
Nelly is not omniscient. Therefore, when she explains at times, she makes direct
quotations from other characters. This suggests that she does not witness every
event; she was told some by other characteristics. For instance, when Heathcliff
returns from Thrushcross Grange, he explains to Nelly what had happened there.
(Note: that Nelly was not there, so she depends on Heathcliff to explain to her).
Therefore, the narrative switches over to Heathcliff’s voice:

“Cathy and I explained for a walk and getting a glimpse of the Grange lights, we
thought we would just go and see whether the Lintons passed the Sunday evenings
standing shivering in corners…’’

Another important narrative method used in the novel is the in medias res and
flashback. The in medias res technique begins a story from the middle. It should be
noted that the story of Wuthering Heights should have started from 1772, the time
Mr. Earnshaw finds Heathcliff in the street of Liverpool. However, the novel opens in
1801. At this point most of the characters are dead – Hindley, Catherine, Edgar,
Isabella, Linton etc. Heathcliff is now the owner of both Wuthering Heights and
Thrushcross Grange. Nelly’s account is what provides the history of the Heights
through the use of flashback.

The epistolary narrative method is also deployed in the novel. In an epistolary

narrative method, readers get the story or some aspects of it from letters. An
apparent instance of this is the letter Isabella sends to Nelly. In the letter, she
expresses her deep regret in leaving the Grange and reveals Heathcliff’s attitude
towards her. She writes:

“Dear ELLEN… I came last night to Wuthering Heights, and I heard for the first time,
that Catherine has been ill and is yet, very ill. I must not write to her, I suppose, and
my brother is either too angry or too distress to answer what I send him. Still I may
write to somebody and the only choice left is you.”

Closely linked with the epistolary method is the diary technique. The diary method
enables the reader to get some aspects of the plot from a diary. For instance, when
Lockwood goes through Catherine’s diary, the voice switches to Catherine’s and the
narrative flows from her diary. The novel itself is read from Lockwood’s diary.

Moreover, symbolism plays a key role in the novel. Wuthering Heights, based on its
description, could be considered as both a symbol of evil and nature. Thrushcross
Grange is a symbol of both goodness and civilization. The weather is symbolic. The
novel opens on a winter which is symbolic of the confusion that exists among the
inhabitants of Wuthering Heights. Like winter, the characters residing in the Heights
at the opening of the novel are cold and unfriendly. This could be discerned from
their (the inhabitants of Wuthering Heights) attitude towards Lockwood. The novel
ends in a summer which is symbolic calmness and the dawn of a new beginning.
Hareton and Cathy’s decision to marry on a New Year’s day is symbolic of a new
beginning. (Note: for detail explanation of symbolism in the novel, read the note
under the symbolism deployed in the novel).
The use of specific dates in the novel makes for the authenticity of the text. Time
shift is also deployed in the novel. Time elapses quickly. When Heathcliff leaves
Wuthering Heights, we move immediately to three years later when he is now rich
and civilized. After young Cathy’s birth, we move to twelve years later. The use of
gothic elements also contributes immensely in shaping the narrative of the novel.
The use of ghosts, women in distress, old mansion with trap doors and women being
dominated and controlled by male tyrannical figure contributes to making the novel
a gothic one.

On the whole, the narrative technique used in the novel is complex but at the same
time makes the novel unique. All the events in the novel are set within Wuthering
Height and Thrushcross Grange, and so the readers are entrapped within these two
places.

The Theme of Nature vs. Civilization in Wuthering Heights

At the beginning of the novel, readers can feel the smell of strong wildness.
Lockwood describes it like this “‘Wuthering’ being a significant provincial adjective,
descriptive of atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy
weather... one may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge... as if
craving alms of the sun”. A rough and wild picture comes into the paper and appears
before the readers.

When spring is coming or the sun appears after a long rainy days, wonderful music
performed by nature will fill the air in Wuthering Heights. “Both the valley and the
stream are filled with gurgling and melodious water, which is the wonderful sound
of nature before the summer leaves rustling”.

The residents of Wuthering Heights rigidly observe the life style of working at the
sunrise and returning at the sunset. They have a close relationship with the nature.
Equal and intimate relationship can be observed especially when old Shawn is alive.
“yet it was not cold, and we were all together―I, a little removed from the hearth,
busy at my knitting, and Joseph reading his Bible near the table (for the servants
generally sat in the house then, after their work was done)”. This is a harmonious
and wonderful picture in the hugs of nature.

The characteristics of Catherine and Heathcliff are rough, grumpy and unruly but
they are energetic, passionate and enthusiastic. The most enjoyable thing for both of
them is to play in nature and they are the real children of nature. The wind roaring
and cliff which is not suitable for survival in the eyes of civilized people are paradise
for Catherine and Heathcliff.

Catherine and Heathcliff love nature and respect for freedom. Whenever they feel
upset or there is a conflict with others, they will go to the wilderness, enjoy the
embrace of nature, talk to the nature and get consolation. In nature, they will never
feel hungry or tired. They are like angels, breathing the fresh air greedily, enjoying
the beautiful wild flowers, carefree and relaxed in the embrace of nature. Freedom
and comfort are filled with their hearts. Wildness makes them forget to return home
and they are willing to enjoy it regardless of a severe punishment. In the novel, Dean
said: “But it was one of their chief amusements to run away to the moors in the
morning and remain there all day, and the after punishment grew a mere thing to
laugh at”.

The first description of Thrushcross Grange is out of young Heathcliff. And the
description includes such words as gold and silver which modern civilized people are
interested in and love. From the description, we can also discern that the decoration
of Thrushcross Grange matches the taste of the modern people-luxury. After
returning from Thrushcross Grange, Heathcliff says to Nelly: “Ah! It was beautiful―a
splendid place carpeted with crimson, and crimson―covered chairs and tables, and
a pure white ceiling bordered by gold, a shower of glass―drops hanging in silver
chains from the centre, and shimmering with little soft tapers”

The residents in Thrushcross Grange are elegant, delicate and frail. Dean
remembered that the voice of Edgar is low and gentle. The death of Old Linton and
his wife is a good proof for their fragile body. Because of Catherine’s illness, old Mrs.
Linton insisted on conveying Catherine to Thrushcross Grange. Unfortunately, she
and her husband both took the fever, and died.

Catherine and Heathcliff are rough, rude and carefree and they are the children of
nature. While Edgar and Isabella are gentle, delicate and fragile and they are the
representative of civilized people.

Wuthering Heights is the symbol of nature, and it is exposed to the nature and
enjoys in the nature. The residents in it are rough, rude, unruly but energetic,
vigorous and enthusiastic. On the contrary, Thrushcross Grange is the symbol of
civilization and it is filled with fragility and quietness. The residents in it are gentle,
fragile, rich and snobbish. Catherine destroys the balance and independence
between Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange, especially after her marriage
with Edgar. Catherine’s marriage, the relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine
and the relationship between Catherine and Edgar show, to some extent, the
relationship between human beings and nature in the long history.

Young Heathcliff and Catherine enter into Thrushcross Grange by chance, and thus
they destroyed the balance and independence of Wuthering Heights and
Thrushcross Grange and the life style of their residents. Great changes happen in
Catherine after her return from Thrushcross Grange. Obviously, it is the first conflict
between civilization and nature. Later, Catherine becomes the wife of Edgar, who is
the representative of civilization. After getting married, Catherine seems to earn the
civilized behaviors and roughness and rudeness are far away from her. A happy and
harmonious picture appears in Thrushcross Grange. This picture is the same as the
situation of the beginning of the invention of modern technology. People thought
they conquered nature, they grasped nature and they are the owner of nature. But
very soon, Heathcliff returns. He returns with strong revenge. As a result, Catherine
dies because she is not able to deal with the triangle relationship among she and
Heathcliff and Edgar. After Catherine, the representative of nature, dies, Edgar, the
spokesman of civilization, changes too. He becomes upset, and he is always in a low
mood and he quits a lot of social roles. Catherine’s death, Heathcliff’s revenge and
Edgar’s tortures reveal human beings are not really able to conquer nature. The fact
is the transitory and seeming victory is at the expense of destroying the balance
between human beings and nature.

Little Catherine is brought up by his father, Edgar Linton, who is the representative of
civilization, so little Catherine is the spokesman of the new generation of civilization.
At the end of the novel, the marriage of little Catherine and Hareton is the
integration of civilization and nature and it predicts there will be a harmonious
relationship between human beings and nature.

Examine the theme of Social Class in the Novel

In the Victorian Era, social class was not solely dependent upon the amount of
money a person had; rather, the source of income, birth, and family connections
played a major role in determining one's position in society. And, significantly, most
people accepted their place in the hierarchy. In addition to money, manners, speech,
clothing, education, and values revealed a person's class. The three main classes
were the elite class, the middle class, and the working class. Further divisions existed
within these three class distinctions.

Social class plays an important role in shaping the plot of Wuthering Heights.
Heathcliffʼs social class and that of the other characters has a deep influence on
their fate. Heathcliff lost his love because he belonged to a lower social class and
despite the close relationship between him and Catherine, he did not perfectly fit in
the picture of a husband. Catherine did not want him as her husband for he did not
belong to the elite social class like the Lintons. He lived with her family at her
father’s and brother’s mercy. So, until he has grown rich he is a classless orphan.
He is born an orphan and orphans do not have a social identity or class. Catherine’s
father brought him from Liverpool, a poor orphan, whom he could not leave alone
and helpless in the streets. However, once Heathcliff leaves and returns richer, his
class has changed and with it his aura.

If he has not received the same care and love as the others, then it is because he was
never a part of the Earnshaw family. He can understand the reason why he is
despised by the others and why Catherine cannot marry her. The resulting
frustration only makes him more callous. His childhood emotions have a deep effect
on his entire life. The events and situations he has faced during his childhood have
an effect on his personality and psychology. He was born poor and a childhood spent
in acute poverty also turns him into a monster. In this way, the social and economic
conditions, Heathcliff has faced have carved his personality.

Social class also affects how the other characters in the novel behave. Hindley is rich
and spoilt. He abuses Heathcliff after his father’s death. Edgar is civilized, has
received a noble upbringing and yet he is frail and cowardly. He is from a rich family
and not toughened like Heathcliff. On the other hand, despite having gotten rich,
Heathcliff cannot forget his days of poverty at the Heights. The misery and ignominy
he had faced because of Hindley are still fresh in his mind. He can neither forget that
it was because of his social class that he lost Catherine. All these things make him
feel all the more miserable and turn him savage. However, the misery that follows
Heathcliff’s return is also rooted in social class. Heathcliff has a rags to riches story.
He has grown rich but he has not forgotten what poverty had given him as a kid. His
source of power is his wealth which he uses to control the characters in the novel.

He is the same orphan inside but has grown influential after having acquired wealth
and it makes him both haughty and cruel. He has seen worse days and that has
toughened him from inside. His return also marks a cruel turn in Catherine’s life who
sometimes laments having married Edgar. If the hatred inside Heathcliff has
doubled, then it is because he is frequently reminded of his helplessness as a poor
orphan. Except for Catherine and her father, he does not think anybody in Earnshaw
family had truly accepted him. Heathcliff has grown embittered and with his new
wealth and control over others he only makes them feel miserable, trying to extract
revenge. Thus, social class is an important factor and a major cause of the conflict
and misery that abound in the novel. However, Heathcliff’s changed social class
does not change things positively in his life. Instead, it acts to increase the toxicity
within him and life for the poor creatures living at Wuthering Heights. Life is a toxic
hell for them once Heathcliff has taken ownership of the house.

There is class ambiguity too at several points in the novel like poor Hindley does not
really have a class. Heathcliff has raised him after his father’s death as a poor
servant. This also affects his status and identity in the novel. Heathcliff treats him as
a poor orphan like he himself once was. Hindley is from a well to do family but
unaware of his social status and class and therefore a poor victim who is being made
to pay for his father’s mistakes. At the center of the plot is Heathcliff and the novel
shows how social class has affected his mindset and scarred his personality. Some of
his cruelty and toxicity seem to result from a rough childhood passed in streets of
Liverpool as an orphan. He acquires both Grange and Heights which also shows a
greed for wealth. Heathcliff uses his wealth and cunning mind to control others. A
change in social class can have complex effects on human psychology and
Heathcliff’s character proves it.

He believes that others have wronged him because they used to be richer than him.
Thus, all the major problems and misunderstandings in Wuthering Heights are
rooted in social class. Wealth and social class remain the cause of the biggest
differences in the lives and stories of Heathcliff and Catherine and also at the roots
of the biggest ups and downs in the entire novel. Even with this less level of gloom
and pessimism, the story has an unexpectedly positive and happy end. At the end,
the curse Heathcliff had brought has been lifted from WUTHERING HEIGHTS.
However, the positive end looks like a drop of water in a desert. It is also for the level
of negativity in the novel that it was criticized heavily at the time of its publication.

Examine the relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff

The central theme of Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë is the relationship between
Cathy and Heathcliff. The problem of the bond between Cathy and Heathcliff and its
significance remains the central mystery of the novel till the very end. In fact, the
novel is a revengeful love story of Heathcliff, the protagonist.

Catherine is the daughter of Mr & Mrs. Earnshaw and Heathcliff is a pickup boy by
Mr. Earnshaw from the slums of Liverpool city and is named Heathcliff Earnshaw by
Mr. Earnshaw. Mr. Earnshaw’s treatment towards Heathcliff is likely a father’s
treatment towards his own child. Environment of the moor and same dwelling place
gives both Cathy and Heathcliff a greater chance to develop their romantic love-
affair. In addition, Cathy’s own brother, Hindley’s hostile and cruel treatments
towards Heathcliff fines Cathy’s love for Heathcliff.
As children, Cathy and Heathcliff seem to represent the spirit of Freedom as they are
rebelling against the tyrannical authority represented by Hindley. They are also
rebelling against religious bigotry as represented by Joseph. Their love exists on a
higher or spiritual plane; they are soul mates, two people who have an affinity for
each other which draws them together irresistibly. Heathcliff repeatedly calls
Catherine his soul.

A life-force relationship is a principle that is not conditioned by anything but it.

Catherine and Heathcliff's love is based on their shared perception that they are the
same. Catherine declares, famously, “I am Heathcliff,” while Heathcliff, upon
Catherine's death, wails that he cannot live without his “soul,” meaning Catherine.

Both Cathy and Heathcliff love each other profoundly. Yet we notice some ambiguity
in both Cathy’s speech and action.

Cathy and Heathcliff are creatures of the wild moorland where conventional social
standards are meaningless. After meeting with Edgar, Cathy develops an interest
towards him. She now seems to be equally interested in Edgar and Heathcliff. She
has not certainly given up Heathcliff. In fact she defines her brother Hindley and
manages to meet Heathcliff secretly. Indeed there remains a striking contrast
between Edgar and Heathcliff far as behavior, looks and refinement is concerned.
And it is obvious for a sweet girl of fifteen to be in dilemma about both of them
because one is her earlier love and later another appears with more redefined and
behavior.

Cathy decides to marry Edgar for his social status. She decides to marry Edgar for his
social standards. Indeed he is handsome, young and cheerful. But she informs Nelly,
the house keeper, of her profound attachment to Heathcliff, saying“Nelly he
(Heathcliff) is more myself than I am. Whatever our sols are made of, his ad mine
are the same.”But Heathcliff who loves Cathy more than anything in his life
overhears Cathy saying to Nelley:-“It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff, now.”’

He would not hear further as he leaves with his heart which is teared up into several
pieces and blood is blowing from his hear inwardly. From this context of Cathy’s
speech we can have a clear notion that the love affair between Cathy and Heathcliff
is anti-social as he is a pick up boy and then is no trait of his parents.

After overhearing such stuff, Heathcliff leaves the Wuthering Heights without saying
anything to anybody and leaves no traces of him. When Heathcliff has left, Cathy
marries Edgar. After her marriages she understands her betrayal of her true self and
as a result she is going to be sick and ill in accordance with the passing of days. After
six months of their marriages, Heathcliff returns and seeing him live Cathy feels so
delighted. Inspite of Edgars dismay, Cathy and Heathcliff sit looking at one another
“absorbed in their mutual joy to suffer embarrassment.” Yet there is no romantic
erotic infatuation. Though she is married to Edgar, she feels an ardent love and
desire for Heathcliff which is anti- social. She believes that Linton is subordinate and
that Heathcliff is part of her.

In Chapter 15, Heathcliff himself burst into Cathy’s room and in a moment she was in
his arms. He begins to show countless kisses on her. Then Cathy confesses that she is
responsible for everything because she has married Edgar when she has actually
been in love with him (Heathcliff). She then asks him to kiss her again. Twelve years
have passed after Cathy’s death. Heathcliff suffers a lot and at the same time make
others to suffer.

When Edgar Linton dies and the designs of Linton’s grave is going on Heathcliff
bribes the Sexton to remove the earth of the lid of the coffin in which Cathy lay. And
opening the lid of the coffin and has seen Cathy’s face again. In fact, he has, with his
own hands, digs out her grave on this occasion. This he has done out of his titanic
love for Cathy. But in view of social perspective, what he has done for love is really
amoral. Not only that he has also bribed the Sexton to pull away one panel of the
coffin, his object being, that when he himself dies, his dead body should be buried
close to Cathy’s dead body without being there any wall between them. His
unfathomable love for Cathy makes him do such thing that is anti-moral.

At the end, we can say that the unalloyed love of Heathcliff turns to anti-moral as
well as anti-social because of Cathy’s ambition to get social standard and his own
psychological problem. In Wuthering Heights Catherine and Heathcliff’s love is a
direct challenge to those social forces of family and class which tyrannize, oppress
and restrict individuals and their relationship.

Significance of Mr. Lockwood's visit to Wuthering Height

Mr. Lockwood is a wealthy businessman who rents the Grange from Mr. Heathcliff.
He describes himself as a solitary person, who wants little to do with human
relationships; that is the main motive for renting the Grange. Upon his arrival at the
Grange, he decides to visit his landlord at Wuthering Heights. Mr. Lockwood's Visit
has a lot of significance in the Novel Wuthering Heights.

Firstly, the visit is important on the basis of hanging the plot of the Novel. The visit
forms the wheels upon which the novel's plot is revealed. Upon Mr. Lockwood's visit
from the Grange, he asks Nelly who has been working at Wuthering Heights before
being the caretaker of Grange. Mr. Lockwood asks her to tell him more about Mr.
Heathcliff and Wuthering Heights. Nelly tells the story thirty- years back, where she
gives details in a form of flashbacks of how Wuthering Heights and how Heathcliff
was adopted by Old Mr. Earnshaw. The visit is significant as it helps to connect the
story from the past to the present advancing the plot of the novel.

Secondly, Mr. Lockwood's visit to Wuthering Heights provides a detailed picture of

the settings of Wuthering Heights. According to him, the height is prone to heavy
wind, the air is raw and damp as a result of the heavy snowfall. The snowfall is so
severe that Mr. Lockwood loses his way back to Thrushcross Grange. A distance that
is supposed to be 3 miles away turns out to be four miles because of the weather
condition.

Thirdly, the stop Wuthering Heights points to the imagery of gothic image that runs
all through the novel. Mr. Lockwood has to endure the ghostly visitation of
Catherine's ghost all through the night. We see that he is disturbed by the severe
wind and horror dreams that set banging at the quest of his window. His visit is
significant because it points to the Gothic imagery of the Heights.

Another outstanding significance of Lockwood's visit to Wuthering Heights is that it

introduces us to Catherine's dairy. His stay due to bad weather makes him spend his
night in Catherine's room where he discovers the diary. This dairy helps us to know
about Hindley's degradation of Heathcliff's status after the death of old Mr.
Earnshaw.

Furthermore, Mr. Lockwood's visit is important as it serves as a sound basis for the
assessment of some of the leading characters. His visit portrayed Heathcliff as a
heartless person, rough and as an introvert. Joseph’s bigotry is exposed and young
Catherine's unfriendly displayed to him is underscored.

Mr. Lockwood's visit has a lot of significance to the novel Wuthering Heights. It
contributes immensely to the narrative technique of the novel. Lockwood who is a
character is also a narrator. The first person narrative technique is aptly deployed.
Lockwood’s ignorance of the things around him heightens the suspense in the novel.

Discuss the Gothic Elements in the novel

Wuthering Heights is written by Emily Bronte. The novel is considered a Gothic one
because of the several gothic features such as women being in distress supernatural
occurrences etc The novel story revolves around these features which qualify
Wuthering Heights as a gothic novel.

To begin with, the setting of the home of the Earnshaw projects an image of gothic.
Wuthering Heights is an old mansion; the home of the Earnshaws The old mansion
creates a vivid description of a gothic novel 'cause they are often set in an old
mansion or castle. At Wuthering Heights, it's disturbed by weather conditions like
raw winds hallowing around tress and darkness on the surface of the heights
because of the Weather condition. The castle also has a secret room, Catherine's
room is a secret room, and no one is allowed to enter. The wuthering heights project
the gothic elements.

Another aspect of the gothic novel is women in distress. Wuthering Heights has
several women being in sadness and pain. Catherine the daughter of Old Mr.
Earnshaw is seen throughout her marriage when Heathcliff returns from Gimmerton.
She is unable to bear her high fervor and love for Heathcliff; which leads to her
sudden death. Isabella, the daughter of the Lintons; the younger sister of Edgar is
also distressed because of Heathcliff's treatment towards her. Heathcliff's tension
forces her to give the ghost. Several other female characters like Young Catherine
and Frances are also distressed female characters. Their pathos provides evidence of
a Gothic novel.

Also, visions and dreams are another feature of a Gothic novel. Mr. Lockwood visit
wuthering heights to honor his landlord a visit, unluckily for him, he spends the night
in Catherine's room where he has nightmare. He dreamt of Catherine's ghost
requesting to enter through the window. This dream foreshadows Heathcliff's death
in the short run.

The sudden disappearance of Heathcliff and his mysterious background and riches
contribute to the Gothic element of the novel. His parents are unknown he is found
on the streets of Liverpool, bring into the house of the Earnshaws suddenly things
change around them e.g the death of Mrs. Earnshaw and the gross hardness from
Hindley. His riches are also unknown, he disappears and when he returns from
Gimmerton he is rich.

All of these contribute to the Gothic element of wuthering Heights including

revenge, ghost, the sudden death of characters, high emotion, and anger all
contributes to the gothic appearance of Wuthering Heights...

Comment on significance of Heathcliff and Catherine's first visit to Thrushcross

Grange

Catherine is the daughter of Mr. Earnshaw and Hindley's younger sister. Heathcliff is
a boy that is brought from Liverpool by Mr. Earnshaw. Catherine and Heathcliff have
a daily routine of always going to the moors, especially when they are punished by
Hindley; they always go there to ease their pain. On one Sunday evening, playing in
the moors as usual they decides to visit Thrushcross Grange to see how they spend
their Sunday evenings. This visit has a lot of significance in the novel.
To start with, a major significance of their first visit to Thrushcross Grange is that it
serves as a basis for hanging the plot. The plot would have been less interesting had
the two not visited the Grange; they would have lived happily ever after. However,
their visit contributes to the conflict that we will see later in the novel. Heathcliff and
Catherine are separated for five weeks and this drives an iron wedge between the
two. From that moment Catherine begins to prefer the company of Edgar to
Heathcliff.

Another significance of their first visit to Thrushcross grange is that it contributes to

the theme of nature and civilization. In Wuthering Heights, nature is depicted
through Catherine and Heathcliff. Catherine and Heathcliff are ruled with passion,
not by reflection or social norms. On the other hand, Thrushcross grange and the
Linton family represent culture, refinement, convention and cultivation. A lot of
instances are shown during their visit to Thrushcross grange. Catherine and
Heathcliff are products of nature and it is seen in their behavior, they are wild and
savage. Catherine and Heathcliff are always outside creating mischief. They visit the
Heights and are flabbergasted by what they see. Heathcliff tells Nelly "we were able
to look in, and we saw ah! It was beautiful - a splendid place, we should have
thought ourselves in heaven." Thrushcross Grange is a symbol of civilization and the
inhabitants are well trained and gentle. When Heathcliff and Catherine go there and
see Edgar and Isabella crying over a puppy. They find it funny and start laughing
saying they are weaklings Catherine.

Another significance of Catherine and Heathcliff's first visit to Thrushcross Grange is

that it exposes the theme of social class. Social class is a theme addressed in the
novel. The social classes depicted in the novel are mainly the gentry and their
servants. Heathcliff being adopted by Mr. Earnshaw is raised to the middle class.
When they go to Thrushcross grange and Catherine is bitten by a dog, the Lintons
come out and immediately recognize her as late Mr. Earnshaw’s daughter. She is
instantly given a preferential treatment. Heathcliff, on the other hand, is looked at
with total scorn as he is recognized as the unfortunate thing that Mr. Earnshaw
found in Liverpool. Mrs. Linton says "I declare he is that strange acquisition my late
neighbors made, in his journey to Liverpool. A wicked boy at all events, he is quite
unfit for a decent home." During this event Heathcliff is seen as a servant and evil
person who might be a bad company for their children. He is thrown out forcefully
and is not allowed to enter the house with Cathy. Social class is exposed here,
Heathcliff always tries to match up the life of the people around him but with just a
glimpse he is referred to as evil and hated at first sight.

Another significance of Catherine and Heathcliff's first visit to Thrushcross grange is

that it exposes Heathcliff and Catherine's relationship. Catherine and Heathcliff are
very close and they perform all their mischiefs together. They promise each other to
always be dirty and remain savages all their lives. When they visit Thrushcross
grange, their relationship is exposed. When Catherine is bitten by a dog, instead of
worrying for herself she tries to warn Heathcliff to leave, but surprisingly Heathcliff
also stays and picks up a stone to protect Catherine. They always try to protect each
other especially in such a situation. Although Heathcliff is not allowed to enter the
house with Catherine he still lingers around waiting for a sign of discomfort from
Catherine. He says to Nelly "the curtains were still open, and I resumed my station as
spy; because if Catherine had wished to return, I intend shattering the glass unless
they let her out." Heathcliff and Catherine's relationship is seen here too how they
protect and stand by each other no matter the problems they face.

Another significance of their visit to Thrushcross Grange is that it exposes Catherine

and Heathcliff's character. They are both mischievous and wild. Before they visit the
Grange it was chief amusement to escape to the moors after being punished by
Hindley. He punishes them and they sneak out to the moors to ease their pain. The
idea of going to Thrushcross Grange is prompted by their curiosity and wildness as
they intend to see if the Lintons spend their Sunday evenings as they. They go and
start laughing at the Linton's kids when they are crying over a puppy. Heathcliff also
uses vulgar language; his character is seen here when Catherine is bitten, he starts
cursing and Mrs. Linton says "Did you notice his language". Heathcliff and Catherine
are both brave too. The fact that Catherine is bitten yet, she is strong and Heathcliff
tries killing the animal instead of running shows their bravery.

Moreover, their first visit to Thrushcross Grange introduces the readers to the
Lintons. It is important at this point to note that the first time that readers are
introduced to Edgar and Isabella is through Catherine and Heathcliff’s visit. The
Lintons are presented as very civilized and, the Grange is like paradise. The Lintons
believe in codes and ethics and so an abusive person like Heathcliff is thrown out of
the Grange.

In a nutshell, Catherine and Heathcliff’s first visit to Thrushcross Grange is what

contributes to the major conflict in the novel. Catherine and Heathcliff break the
balance between nature and civilization. For this reason, they are responsible for the
repercussions that come later.

Examine the significance of Heathcliff and Catherine's last meeting

Catherine is the daughter of Mr. Earnshaw and the wife of Edgar Linton. Heathcliff is
the adopted son of Mr. Earnshaw and the husband of Isabella. When Catherine is ill
in Thrushcross Grange, Heathcliff pleads with Nelly to allow him to see her. Nelly is
afraid of the consequences so she disagrees and Heathcliff threatens her. She agrees
and arranges a perfect time that the Linton's goes to church; she asks Heathcliff to
wait outside and that she will deliver the letter he gives her. She waits until Edgar
leaves for church. She sneaks in and gives Catherine the letter. Heathcliff comes in
before Catherine finishes reading the letter and that marks their last meeting in the
novel. Their last meeting has lots of significance.

To start with, it reveals Heathcliff and Catherine's relationship. Heathcliff and Cathy's
relationship has been complicated from the time she chooses Edgar, and since the
return of Heathcliff, Catherine's interest in him increases. She makes herself ill
deliberately and according to Dr. Kenneth she is suffering from Brain fever. Catherine
and Heathcliff's relationship is exposed during their last meeting, whereas Heathcliff
gives Nelly a letter to give to Catherine and Catherine is not interest in the letter until
Nelly says "must I read it madam? It is from Heathcliff." Heathcliff comes in the
room: his unalarmed eagerness to see Catherine shows his undying love for her. We
learn that these two people have been apart from each other and Heathcliff after
seeing could not hold his tears. Their relationship goes beyond the physical; it is
more of a spiritual love than a physical one. This could be discerned from their
extensive use of the word “soul” in professing their love for each other. They prefer
to die in each other's arms than be apart. Cathy says "I wish I could hold you till we
are both dead." Heathcliff feels that life without Catherine means hell on earth for
him. He says to Catherine: “Can you live with your soul in the grave?”
Another significance of Heathcliff and Catherine's last meeting is it re- unites
Heathcliff and Catherine. Catherine before this event had severed all ties with
Hindley and is alone with her depression. Heathcliff who has been trying to see
Catherine and Heathcliff meet again. Heathcliff kneel on one knee and embrace
Catherine, he attempts to rise, but she seized his hand, and kept him down. In this
event Catherine and Heathcliff expresses their feelings and how miserable they are
without each other. Heathcliff says "you loved me _ then what right had you to leave
me? What right _answer me_ for the poor fancy you felt Edgar? Because nothing
that God or the Devil could inflict would have protected us, you of your own will, did
it." Catherine denies deny the fact that it was her fault that they parted. They held
each other and wept. According to Nelly their hug is so tight that it might have killed
Catherine. Catherine and Heathcliff's last meeting re-unites their love for each other
and helps Cathy realizes her mistake for leaving the one person that always loved.

Another significance of their meeting is that it foreshadows Cathy's death. When

Heathcliff enters the room and sees Cathy he knew from the instant he beholds her,
that she was fated, sure to die. "Oh Cathy! Oh, my life! How can I bear it? Was the
first sentence he uttered, in a tone that did not seek to disguise his despair."

She is jealous of the fact that she is going die and leave Heathcliff in this world. She
starts asking him questions "How many years do you mean to live after I am gone." It
is during this event when Nelly tells them that Edgar is coming and Heathcliff's tries
to leave, she holds him tight and says "Oh don't go, it is the last time! Edgar will not
hurt us. Heathcliff I shall die! I shall die!. It signifies the fact that Catherine is going to
die and wishes to see Heathcliff only at this moment.

Another significance of their last meeting is that it symbolizes nature’s revenge on

civilization. Catherine chooses civilization over nature, and it affects her. Being a
product of nature she betrays it by choosing civilization. Catherine starts blaming
Heathcliff for everything and Heathcliff says "Don't torture me till I'm as mad as
yourself". You know you lie to say I have killed you: and, Catherine you know that I
could as soon forget you as my existence! Is not sufficient for your selfishness, that
while you are at peace I shall be in hell?". These lines clearly clarify that Catherine
causes her own demise because she left Heathcliff, a product of nature and chose
Edgar, a product of civilization.

Examine the relationship between Heathcliff and Linton

Linton is the son of Isabella and Heathcliff. He is a weakling boy who is raised in
England by his mother who unfortunately dies and the boy is brought back by his
Uncle Edgar. Heathcliff tries all means to get him back and he succeeds. Their
relationship is complicated and not genuine.

To start with, Heathcliff does not love the boy. In several instances in the novel
Heathcliff shows nothing to Linton than hatred. He says "I feared I should have to
come down and fetch my property myself. You have brought it have you. Let us see
what we can make of it." The fact that he constantly refers to the boy as it shows
that he only considers him as a property and not human. This could justify his
attitude towards him later. He inspects the boy and cares to show no feelings of joy
to see his son. He is amazed at his beauty and the manner he sees him. He is sure he
is a weakling boy. Heathcliff does not seem to be happy to see this creature. The boy
is frightened at the new faces he is seeing and Heathcliff says "you are your mother's
child entirely, where is my share in you?” Linton is white and Heathcliff does not see
any resemblance between them. He makes it clear to Nelly that he is only tolerating
the boy because he is going to be his sole heir of his estate. Nelly is hesitant to leave
the boy with Heathcliff but Heathcliff shows no concern of her intrusion. Heathcliff
he says "I despise him for himself and for the memories he revives". This clearly
means that Linton reminds Heathcliff of the past especially with Isabella's betrayal
and he scorns the child. Although the boy is sick, Nelly observes that there has been
no doctor to attend to Linton and with her inquiries with a maid. She tells Nelly that
Heathcliff does not show any concern for the boy and that he lies on bed all day with
his coughs and aches. This shows that Heathcliff does not love and care for Linton.

Also, Heathcliff arouses fear in the boy. Since the first time they meet, Linton has
been scared of Heathcliff. He always complains of his (Linton’s) weakness. At one
point in Linton’s conversation with Catherine, he attempts to reveal his father’s
secret to her but he is struck by fear of what the consequences may be. He says: "I
cannot bear it! Catherine I dare not tell you! But leave me I shall be killed. She asks
Linton to explain and Linton says "I dread him I dread him; I dare not tell. Linton
refuses to tell Catherine his father’s plan out of fear of what his father might do.

Heathcliff only keeps Linton with him in order to satisfy his egoism or selfish desires.
He always finds ways to trick Linton into one of his plans and this time he succeeds
to make Catherine fall for Linton. Linton who is pitied for his condition by Cathy has
been receiving letters from her and exchanging love notes. But it all comes to light
that all the fancy Catherine feels for Linton is not reciprocated. Heathcliff is the one
forcing Linton to write letters to Catherine and he even goes to the extent of
arranging meeting for the both of them so as to get them married. On one of
Catherine's visit, she does not want to return and she tells Linton that she wishes he
is her brother. Linton interrupts and says "my father says you will love me more if
you are my wife and prefer that". This causes argument between the two naive
children and Heathcliff spies and observes their meeting. During one of their
meeting, Catherine and Nelly go far as near Wuthering Heights. Linton's condition is
horrible and they feel sympathy for him. He tries warning them but he couldn't
because Heathcliff threatens him. Linton gets down to begging Catherine to stay
with him and that if Cathy leaves him, his father will kill him. Catherine is alarmed
and asks Linton if he can stop it, will he allow her enemy to hurt her. Linton is scared
of him and he confesses it. Heathcliff shows up and Linton says "I've done as you
wished, I am sure." Everything becomes clear that all Linton's actions are
orchestrated by his tyrannical father.

Later, after forcing Catherine to marry Linton, he cares little for his son. His concern
is how to inherit everything that belongs to the boy. For this reason, he cares little
for the poor child’s for the child’s health and this causes the boy’s death.